Dear UMPI Community,

As you know from the UMS messaging earlier today, face coverings will be optional on campus with some very important exceptions. Here are details to help you adjust to the changes. Starting March 26, face coverings are encouraged but not required (indoors and outdoors) on all UMPI campus property, including the Houlton Center, with the following exceptions:

• Face coverings are required in all classrooms, labs, and offices unless the requirement is waived by the relevant faculty or staff member.

• Face coverings continue to be required when recommended by the CDC during exposure to or recovery from a positive case of COVID.

• Face coverings may be required at indoor and outdoor campus events and activities open to the public, as determined by the organizing authority. For public indoor events of more than 75 people, face coverings are required; however, if proof of vaccination or a negative test within 72 hours is required as a condition of entry, face coverings may be optional as determined by the organizing authority.

• Face coverings are required in the Health Center and other locations where healthcare is provided unless the requirement is waived by the relevant staff member.

  To reiterate, while face coverings are encouraged but not required in most public spaces, they are required (unless the requirement is waived) in classrooms, labs, individual office spaces, and healthcare settings, and may be required at campus events open to the public. To clarify, face coverings should have multiple layers of appropriate material, cover the nose, mouth, and chin when worn, and be secured snugly with ear loops or ties behind the person’s head.

Please also keep in mind:

If a specific location or event requires people to wear face coverings, there will be a sign posted at the entrance that looks like this (you’ll see the sign with the yellow mask posted in classrooms/labs and you may see the sign with the red hand posted in offices):

• If you see a “face covering” sign posted, you may not challenge that request. It is there for a reason.

• You should continue to have a face covering with you at all times in case it is needed.

• Please be respectful of your fellow community members. Masking for specific individuals, especially those who are immunocompromised, is still a concern. We ask all members of the UMPI campus to prioritize the health and safety of your fellow community members above all else.

We know this change to the System’s face covering policy has been long awaited. While we encourage you to do what makes sense for your personal situation within the requirements stated above, please do so with the same care and attention we’ve maintained, since the pandemic began, to keep our campus safe and healthy.

Ray